ħanin

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Maltese

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Root
ħ-n-n
3 terms

Etymology

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Apparently an alteration of Arabic حَنُون (ḥanūn) after the common adjective measure C-(a)-C-i-C. Compare Moroccan Arabic حنين (ḥnīn).

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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ħanin (feminine singular ħanina, plural ħnien)

  1. merciful
    Synonym: miżerikordjuż
  2. (chiefly vocative) dear; darling
    • Traditional (lyrics and music), “Ja ħanina”, performed by Frans Baldacchino:
      Ħanina, kemm inti ħelwa, ħelwa daqs il-passolina.
      Daqskemm qalbi tħobb lil ġismi, daqshekk inħobbok, ħanina!
      Darling, how sweet you are, as sweet as raisins.
      As much as my heart loves my own body, that much I love you, my darling!